FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Philadelphia Half Marathon and Rothman Institute 8K Results
Results for the First Events of the Philadelphia Marathon Race Weekend
PHILADELPHIA (November 19, 2016) - Today's Philadelphia Half Marathon
kicked off the first of four races during the 2016 Philadelphia Marathon
Race Weekend. In the men's field, Tsegaye Getachew of Ethiopia placed first
with a time of 1:03:54. Getachew will also be racing the Philadelphia
Marathon tomorrow, his first time taking on the 26.2-mile distance race.
Coming in second was Eliud Ngetch with a time of 1:03:56 and Panuel Mkungo
came in third with a time of 1:04:18.
On the women's side, Birukayit Degefa, also of Ethiopia, took home the Half
Marathon crown. She achieved a personal record with a time of 1:11:42. In
2015, she placed second in the Philadelphia Half Marathon. Sinke
Biyadgilign came in second with a time of 1:13:04 and Susan Jerotich placed
third with a time of 1:13:52.
"I'm so happy for the success of today's Philadelphia Half Marathon and
Rothman Institute 8K," said Sheila Hess, Executive Director for the
Philadelphia Marathon. "Today was a beautiful day to explore historical
Fairmount Park while running the updated Half Marathon course. This
weekend's success could not be possible without the dedicated volunteer and
tremendous support from our sponsor including longtime sponsor the Rothman
Institute. We are looking forward to another exciting race day tomorrow."
Today's Half Marathon marked the first time since its inaugural year in
2006 that the race has taken place on Saturday of Race Weekend. In previous
years, the Half Marathon occurred simultaneously with the Philadelphia
Marathon on the Sunday of Race Weekend.
"Rothman Institute is pleased to be part of another Philadelphia Marathon
Race Weekend," said Justin Samra, Director of Marketing for Rothman
Institute. "Over the two decades of our involvement as sponsor of the 8K,
race weekend has become an international draw that shines a bright light on
the beautiful city we call home. We look forward to many more years of
being part of this event."
The Rothman Institute 8K began roughly three hours after the half marathon
with an Elite field highlighting local and regional runners in addition to
national runners. Thomas Awad, a Philadelphia local, placed first overall
with a finish time of 00:24:00. Awad's mantra, "Kick logic to the curb and
do the impossible," certainly helped him achieve a victory today. Coming in
first for the women's division was Sophy Jepchirchirc of Kenya with a
finish time of 00:26:57
HALF MARATHON RESULTS
Men's Half Marathon Results
Tsegaye Getachew, 19, Washington DC, 1:03:54
Eliud Ngetich, 23, Santa Fe, NM, 1:03:56
Panuel Mkungo, 22, Elkton, MD, 1:04:18
Musa Ido, 27, Potomac, MD, 1:05:35
Stephen Kersh, 25, Flagstaff, AZ, 1:06:11
Women's Half Marathon Results
Biruktayie Degefa, 26, Albuquerque, NM, 1:11:42
Sinke Biyadgilign, 22, Washington DC, 1:13:04
Susan Jerotich 29, Chapel Hill, NC, 1:13:52
Grace Kahura, 23, Katonah, NY, 1:14:12
Marci Klimek, 29, Cambridge, MA, 1:15:21
ROTHMAN INSTITUTE 8K RESULTS
Men's 8K Results
Thomas Awad, 22, Philadelphia, PA, 00:24:00
Louis Serafini, 25, Brighton, MA, 00:24:11
Owen Dawson, 28, Coatesville, PA, 00:24:18
Jonathan Phillips, 23, Boston, MA, 00:24:24
Kyle Dawson, 28, Philadelphia, PA, 00:24:25
Women's 8K Results
Sophy Jepchirchir, 23, Chapel Hill, NC, 00:26:57
Meghan Bishop, 31, Philadelphia, PA, 00:28:45
Katie O'Regan, 31, Lititz, PA, 00:29:26
Lauren Kelly, 26, Philadelphia, PA, 00:29:30
Kelley Riffenburgh, 23, Haverford, PA, 00:29:40
About the Philadelphia Marathon:
The Philadelphia Marathon weekend, organized by the Office of the City
Representative and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, welcomes nearly
30,000 runners, 60,000 spectators, and 3,000 volunteers each year. Race
Weekend 2016 features the Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday, November 20; the
Half Marathon, Rothman Institute 8K and Kids Fun Run on Saturday, November
19; and a free two-day Health & Fitness Expo on Friday, November 18 and
Saturday, November 19. Race participants pass many of Philadelphia's famous
attractions on the swift and scenic USATF-certified course, which is a
Boston qualifier. Take the first step to experiencing 26.2 miles of fun,
beauty, history and excitement by registering at philadelphiamarathon.com.
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